WORDS: WAYNE BATTY | PHOTOS: MATT HOWELL, MARTYN GODDARD
A 1995 McLaren F1 formerly owned by Formula 1 driver Michael Andretti was judged Best in Show, while a 1956 Ferrari 500 TR was a popular winner of the People’s Choice Award presented in association with Hagerty at the 2024 Concours on Savile Row.
The 13th of 17 Ferrari 500 TRs built, chassis 0640 MDTR was originally a team car that was used by Franco Cortese through the 1956 season. Cortese notched up overall victories at the Grand Prix Adriatico in Yugoslavia and the Circuito di Caserta in Sicily, with several class podiums towards the end of the year.
Already incredibly fetching thanks to its sensuous bodywork, the Testa Rossa was able to shed its engine cover on the event’s second day thanks to the dry conditions and sunshine. In such a strong and varied line-up of vehicles, there were many contenders, so it’s highly likely that those striking red cylinder heads tipped a few fence-sitting voters its way. Our congratulations to owner Richard Martin.
As per previous years, the Best in Show winner was chosen by the Westminster City Lions, who returned to the event as Hagerty Youth Judges. The City Lions is an established initiative that offers a broad-reaching itinerary of events and opportunities for the young people of Westminster aged between 13 and 16 years old. The Hagerty Youth Judging Program, meanwhile, aims to make the classic car world more accessible to young people.
Youngsters in the City Lions were divided into two groups, and they then took turns in judging the eclectic field on style, history and provenance. In addition, they received guidance on forging a career in the automotive and tailoring industries by speaking to Magneto managing editor Sarah Bradley, motoring writer Nathan Chadwick and Hagerty private clients manager Dan Cogger.
Showing a fine sense of style and discernment, they were just as mesmerised by the McLaren F1 as anyone else who came near it. The 28th of the 64 road-specification cars to roll off the production line, the winning McLaren is the sole surviving example finished in Grand Prix Red. The iconic supercar came into Michael Andretti’s possession after he signed a two-year deal to drive for McLaren in Formula 1 for the 1993-94 seasons. Andretti was replaced before his deal expired, and he was given chassis 028 as part of his compensation package.
Finishing in the runner-up spot was the 1939 Lagonda LG6 Rapide previously owned by the late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, who famously never learned to drive. Despite being unable to legally get behind the wheel, Watts was besotted with the Lagonda’s classic pre-war design, and enjoyed being driven in it while taking a break from touring with the band.
Despite its stately Art Deco styling, the Lagonda was based upon the DNA of the Le Mans 24 Hours-winning M45R racer, and was one of only a handful of cars from the era that could exceed the 100mph threshold.
Significantly, one of WO Bentley’s first projects after joining Lagonda was a redesign of the 4.5-litre six, while Frank Feeley – who’d later become Aston Martin’s in-house designer – dreamed up the car’s grand bodywork.
Rounding out the podium was a 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster. This particular example was one of the 26 cars built in the model’s final year of production, and was originally finished in Light Blue over Burgundy upholstery.
Chassis 003246 was later given a concours-quality restoration, carried out by Jürgen Kassen in Germany to period-correct Pearl Green paintwork over green leather. Complementing the restoration are several mechanical enhancements and convenience features, including improved cooling and a diaphragm spring clutch, electric windows, Becker Mexico radio with GPS, air-con and a removable body-coloured hard-top. Broad Arrow will be offering the car for sale soon via Collectors Garage.
“As always, it’s a real pleasure for us at Hagerty to host the students who are part of the City Lions project,” commented Dan Cogger. “Each year they astound us with their enthusiasm, interest and, as is evidenced by the winners they’ve chosen as part of the Hagerty Youth Judging initiative, their impeccable taste.”
For more about the Westminster City Lions youth initiative, please see here.